~Chapter 90~
A few days later.
In the Duke of Hartmann’s office, unfamiliar people were gathered.
It was the so-called Irene Survival Project.
The members who would take part in it were:
The person at the center of it all, Irene Hartmann.
The leader of this plan, the Empire’s Crown Prince, Albert von Hasht.
The one who would set the direction of treatment, the Master of the Magic Tower, Fabian Alfonso.
And finally, the Duke and Duchess of Hartmann, watching everything while praying for a miracle for their daughter.
“For now, these are the main members. Depending on the situation, more may be added later.”
“Yes.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
“Now then…”
Albert looked around at the people gathered in the office and spoke.
“To put it simply, the treatment will be handled by the Magic Tower, without involving the temple.”
He continued.
“From now on, the treatment methods will follow the opinion of the Tower Master completely. Duke and Duchess Hartmann, I hope you agree to this.”
“…Of course. As long as our daughter can be saved, we are ready to accept any method.”
Knowing Irene’s parents would probably be the most reluctant about relying on the Tower, Albert asked for their understanding first.
They nodded without hesitation, showing they were willing.
With their answer secured, Albert now turned toward Fabian.
“Then, from this point on… let’s hear the Tower Master’s treatment plan.”
At those words, all eyes turned to one place.
To Fabian, who sat leaning back on the sofa with his arms crossed.
“From now on, under my supervision, Lady Hartmann will begin practicing how to use her mana.”
“Practicing how to use mana?”
“Yes.”
Fabian nodded.
“…As I already told the Crown Prince. Those who are born with extraordinary amounts of mana, like Irene, must use as much of it as possible. Only then will it not build up dangerously inside their bodies.”
“Ah…”
“It’s very late, but it’s better to start now than never.”
“Then…”
My father raised his hand and asked,
“If she learns to use mana… could our Irene become a mage?”
“She should have been living as a mage from the beginning. Refusing that path is why things have come to this.”
“……”
“Don’t expect her to become a mage. The chance of untangling the mana that has already built up is extremely low.”
At Fabian’s cold words, my father and mother pressed their lips together. Fabian went on.
“When she first starts handling mana, it will often go out of control. That will make the surroundings dangerous, so all practice must be done at the Magic Tower.”
“I see…”
My parents nodded, still looking uneasy. Watching them, I answered cheerfully.
“That’s fine. I’ll do it.”
At my reply, their eyes turned toward me.
“Fabian is only speaking realistically. You already know the temple has no hope left for me. Please trust me and let me try.”
“…Irene.”
“And is there anything else I need to do? Tell me, Fabian.”
Fabian stared at me for a moment before answering.
“…Since you’ll faint often, you’ll also need physical strength. Take a lot of tonics and exercise regularly.”
“Got it. Yes, I understand. Did you hear that? Make lots of tonics for me, Father.”
Since I had decided to start treatment, I thought I should do it properly.
Seeing how serious I was, my parents looked at each other, then clenched their fists firmly.
“…Alright, Irene. We’ll help you with all we’ve got. Let’s get through this treatment together.”
It was the moment when the official treatment began—under the direction of the Tower Master.
The next day.
I stood in a certain room with a rather serious expression.
It was inside the Magic Tower, which looked much like the Tower of Babel from the Bible.
At the very top floor of the tower was a huge hall-like room.
Bright light poured in through the windows in the ceiling, yet because of the dark-colored interior design, the room felt calm and heavy.
In front of me stood Fabian, his arms crossed.
“This room is for training mana.”
Fabian glanced around the vast space as he explained.
“It’s specially built so that people like you, who need special management, can practice. Even if mana goes out of control here, the power won’t leak outside the room.”
“…I see. So I can practice without worrying.”
“Today’s training won’t last long anyway. The moment you use mana, you’ll collapse.”
“Ah…”
I nodded with a laugh, but then tilted my head.
“But isn’t mana going out of control always the same? I already know how to suppress mana surges.”
During my travels, I had learned how to control surges well.
After returning to the mansion, they almost never happened. And when my heart raced with warning signs, I could calm it lightly on my own.
“That was a surge caused by emotions. This is different.”
Fabian shook his head.
“When you use mana for real, losing control is far harder. Until the clumps of mana in your body are unraveled, it’s nearly impossible to control.”
“……”
“I told you before. You’re basically a ticking time bomb. Using mana is like lighting the fuse—and just hoping it doesn’t explode.”
“…So in other words, it makes no sense at all.”
I nodded. Hearing his comparison, I finally understood.
“Then how do I actually use mana?”
“Close your eyes. Feel your heartbeat.”
“…Yes.”
I quietly did as he said. Darkness filled my vision.
I sensed Fabian stepping closer. His voice echoed by my ear.
“Match your mind with the rhythm of your heart inside your body.”
“…Easier said than done.”
“Focus.”
“Yes, sir.”
I tried my best to concentrate. Fabian’s voice continued.
“At first it’s difficult. But once you get used to it, it will come naturally.”
“……”
Silence followed. I kept my eyes closed endlessly.
At first, I wondered, How long am I supposed to stay like this?
Then stray thoughts started flooding in.
Doubts about whether choosing treatment was the right thing… Thoughts of my parents. Albert. Harry.
Thoughts of Emily, the heroine. Of the divine beast.
…and thoughts of Fabian.
How it felt nice to be guided personally by him like this.
After all those thoughts drifted away, something became clear.
Thump.
“…Ah.”
I felt something. My body. The beat of my heart.
My heart, filled with mana, pounding heavily inside me.
“Go deeper from there. Find the tangled threads gathered inside your body.”
“……”
Breaking the silence, Fabian’s low voice came.
I followed his words and sank my awareness deeper into myself.
And just like he said, I sensed it—something like a clump of tangled threads.
A dark lump stuck in my chest… the very thing killing me day by day.
“…I think I found it. I can feel it. The energy of mana.”
“Now imagine that clump is connected by a thread to my hand—and pull the mana out.”
I tried hard to picture it the way he described, struggling to draw the mana out.
The clump felt like something I could see, yet couldn’t quite grab. Almost within reach, but slipping away.
Then suddenly— The moment I thought I was pulling it out…
Huh?
My mind went black, like a switch had been turned off.
When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on a bed.
“…What?”
Wait— I collapse this suddenly?
